Oklahoma QB Bradford wins Heisman Trophy

Texas hopeful McCoy finishes second

By Joseph Duarte |
December 13, 2008

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy received 1,604 points to finish second in the Heisman voting.

Photo By Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford has thrown for 48 touchdowns this season. Bradford received 1,726 points to win the Heisman by 122 points.

Photo By John Raoux/AP

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, last year's Heisman Trophy winner, has thrown 28 touchdown passes against only two interceptions this season. He has also rushed for 12 touchdowns. Tebow received 1,575 points to finish third in the Heisman voting.

NEW YORK – Sam Bradford was walking out of the Nokia Theatre following a rehearsal for the Heisman Trophy ceremony Saturday morning when he looked up at the portraits of the past winners from Oklahoma hanging from the ceiling.

“When I looked up at all those Oklahoma guys, it really got to me,” Bradford said. “I can’t even imagine what it would be like to be up there."

Bradford captured college football’s most prestigious honor, edging Texas quarterback Colt McCoy and Florida quarterback Tim Tebow in one of the most anticipated votes in the 74-year history of the award.

Bradford, who became the second sophomore to win the award, received 1,726 points, barely outdistancing runner-up McCoy by 122 points – the closet margin since Nebraska’s Eric Crouch beat Florida’s Rex Grossman by 62 points in 2001.

McCoy finished second with 1,604 points and Tebow – who was trying to join Ohio State running back Archie Griffin (1974-95) as the only two-time Heisman winner -- was third with 1,575 points. Texas Tech teammates Graham Harrell (213) and Michael Crabtree (116) finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

“My heart was pounding there at the end,” McCoy said. “It was suspenseful. I now know how everybody on ‘American Idol’ feels.”

Tebow received the most first-place votes with 309. Bradford had 300 and McCoy finished with 266.

“No, not really,” Tebow said when asked if that was any consolation. “You lose, you lose. I guess it’s motivation for one more year to tie Archie.”

The top three players received at least 200 first-place votes for the first time since 1967, when UCLA’s Gary Beban won. Heisman officials said 902 of 926 ballots mailed out were returned, a record 98 percent.

“I expected it to be really close no matter who won,” Bradford said. “All three finalists were very deserving.”

While Tebow received the most first-place votes, Bradford made up the most ground with 315 second-place votes. Among region breakdowns, Bradford won the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southwest and Far West. McCoy won the Midwest and Tebow dominated the South.

McCoy was considered the Heisman front-runner after beating the Sooners in the annual Red River Rivalry to take over the No. 1 spot, but a late loss to Texas Tech and surge by the Sooners allowed Bradford to make up ground in the final weeks of the season. Bradford also benefited from playing in the Big 12 championship game the first week in December, when 777 of the 926 ballots were cast. The Sooners tied Texas and Texas Tech for the Big 12 South title but advanced to the league championship game by virtue of the highest BCS ranking.

McCoy, who led the Longhorns to an 11-1 record and date in the Fiesta Bowl, was forced to sit home and watch.

“I think having the opportunity to play in the Big 12 championship things might have turned out a little different,” said McCoy, who joined Vince Young (2005) as Longhorns to finish Heisman runners-up the past four years. “We can’t change that. Sam had the stage and played well. He earned it.”

Bradford became the fifth Oklahoma player to win the Heisman, joining Billy Vessels (1952), Steve Owens (1969), Billy Sims (1978) and Jason White (2003). After Bradford’s name was announced, Owens began to yell “Boomer!” several times. Once at the microphone, Bradford responded, “Sooner!”

Bradford gingerly picked up the 25-pound bronze trophy despite his left non-throwing hand being in a cast from recent surgery for torn ligaments.

A 6-4, 215-pound sophomore from Oklahoma City, Bradford posted mind-boggling numbers during the regular season, leading the Sooners to a modern era-record 702 points, a second straight Big 12 title and a spot in the BCS national title game against Tebow and Florida. He threw for 4,464 yards, 48 touchdowns and led the nation in pass efficiency (186.3).

McCoy has said he plans to return for his senior season and Tebow said the chance to again tie Griffin’s record might play a role in his decision.

As for Bradford? He will have a week after the BCS national title game to decide whether to turn pro or stay for his junior season.

“This experience has been great,” he said. “If I can do this all over again I’d love to.”